What is vocabulary?
The term vocabulary, refers to essential words individuals need to know to be able to communicate effectively. These words are also an important contributor to an individual's ability to learn how to read and their reading comprehension abilities. Children connect the words they have been exposed to, to the words they are reading and then are able to correctly read the word in print. Vocabulary is also important to a child and their reading comprehension. Readers are unable to comprehend what they are reading if they do not know what most of the printed words mean.
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
What does research say about vocabulary?
Researchers have found two things about vocabulary instruction, most vocabulary words are indirectly learned and some vocabulary requires direct instruction. Did you know that children learn most vocabulary words during indirect everyday experiences with both oral and written languages? Children either engage in daily oral language, listen to adults read, or read on their own to experience indirect vocabulary instruction. Even though most vocabulary words are learned indirectly, researchers found that some words involve direct instruction. The words that should involve direct instruction are complex concepts that a student does not experience everyday. When students receive direct instruction with words that consist of complex concepts, they begin to develop better reading comprehension.
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
What strategies can I use to strengthen a child's vocabulary abilities?
- Read aloud to your students!
- No matter the age, a child can learn from just hearing texts of various genres.
- Encourage students to read on their OWN!
- While teacher's should use independent reading during instructional time in the classroom, they should also highly encourage children to read various texts at home!
- When teaching vocabulary words directly, you should focus on these three types:
- Important words: Words that are important for a child to understand either the concept of the word or the text
- Useful words: Students need to be taught words that they will see and use multiple times.
- Difficult words: Direct instruction should be put in place for students that continuously struggle with words.
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
Below is a link that provides at home or in school vocabulary activities to help students build their vocabulary knowledge and strengthen their reading comprehension!!!
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/vocabulary-activities/